Women's Six Nations only have one trophy – the opponent deserves more. Photo: Harry Trump/RFU Collection via Getty Images < p>Fans of the season's Six Nations tournament are likely to be unfamiliar with the tournament's many cups and trophies, which have been created over the years to make matches more competitive.
< p>Apart from the Championship Trophy and the Triple Crown, the Calcutta Cup is the most famous as it has been played since 1879, making it the oldest international rugby trophy in the world.
There are now many others: Millennium Trophy (England v Ireland), Quaitch Centenary (Ireland – Scotland), Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy (France – Italy), Auld Alliance Trophy (France – Scotland), Doddie Weir Cup (Scotland – Wales), Cuttitt Cup (Italy – Scotland) … Italy and Wales are also discussing the introduction of a trophy for their match every year.
However, while the men's tournament has seen a steady stream of trophies, the women's championship has left the trophy cabinet bare, with silverware only going to the winners.
There is little point in copying the men's trophies: for example, the women's Calcutta Cup will never have the same prestige as the annual men's tournament, which is steeped in tradition and history. But as the profile of the Women's Six Nations develops, is there an opportunity to honor the sport's pioneers with silverware? So says England captain Marley Packer.
“There are a lot of legends in women's football that have come before us and could we have some cups and trophies for these games in the future? Yes, definitely,” she said.
“It’s about growing the game and growing the tournament through different trophies. It would be great to see the Marley Packer Cup between Wales and England in 10 years!
This may not be on the table yet, but here are Telegraph Sport's suggestions for silverware that could be introduced to the Women's Six Nations.< /p>Emily Valentine Cup – Ireland v Wales
The award honors Valentine, a 10-year-old schoolgirl who was asked to compose numbers for the boys' team at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, Ireland, in 1887. Her diaries, in which she documented the moment she scored the goal. the try is believed to be the earliest known record by a girl playing rugby at any level. It would be another 100 years before the first women's rugby club in Ireland was founded.
Paula George Trophy – England v Wales
George, a former England captain with 77 caps, was the figurehead of the English women's game. in the nineties and zero years. She grew up in a village near Bridgend and represented Wales in netball before switching to rugby. George is in remission from ovarian cancer and last year released a book documenting the stories of trailblazing women in rugby.
Paula George's Welsh heritage and contribution to English rugby could be worth celebrating. Photo: Phil Cole/Getty Images Nathalie Amiel Cup – France v Scotland
Teenage prodigy who made her debut for France against Great Britain aged just 15, three years after taking up the sport. The flanker/centre played in three World Cups over more than a decade (1991, 1994 and 2002) and gave birth to her first child during her playing career. In addition, she was part of the French coaching team at the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
Jim Greenwood Trophy – England – Scotland
Greenwood, who won 20 caps for Scotland and is a former British and Irish Lioness, was instrumental in the development of women's rugby in the 1980s, long before the women's game was played at a more organized level. Greenwood, who died in 2010 aged 81, was one of the game's most innovative and forward-thinking thinkers. A renowned coach at Loughborough University, he trained players such as Lisa Burgess and Emma Mitchell, who went on to captain Wales and England respectively. He also coached the Great Britain and England women's teams in the 1980s.
The clash between England and Scotland deserves its own trophy. and who better to honor than Jim Greenwood? Photo: Steve Welsh/PA Wire. 1991 Cup – England – France
Celebrating women's achievement in the face of adversity, the trophy honors the four pioneering women who launched the first Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991. Sue Dorrington and her three Richmond teammates, Deborah Griffin, Alice Cooper and Mary Forsyth, overcame entrenched misogyny, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the challenges of motherhood to organize the first women's rugby show. England lost that year's final to the United States after beating France in the semi-final.
Sarah Barattine Shield – Italy v France
The first Italian tennis player to play 100 Test matches, Barratine enjoyed a career that spanned 17 years and saw her captain Le Azzurre during the three women's Six Nations campaigns. She made her debut for Italy at the age of 18 when Le Azzurre faced Germany in April 2005, and made 73 appearances in the Women's Six Nations, a record.
What trophies and whoever you choosed? would you like to see those honored at next year's Women's Six Nations? Please give your suggestions in the comments below…
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